The following is based on an actual callout.

Evening on Black Combe summit, having ascended from Whicham Church, a party of four now decide to split. Two carry on north towards Whitfell, two return to Whicham Church. The visibility was poor with light rain; weather deteriorating.  After darkness 2 are safe in the pub. The others dial 999 from a mobile, reporting being lost but in reasonable shape.

At 23.15, Mike (Team Leader) was called by the Police for help in locating the couple, due to the poor conditions and time the walkers had now been out, exposed to the elements.

Team Land Rover

Just before midnight the team had assembled at Broughton Base. Numbers allowed for three hill-going search parties (Alpha, Bravo +Charlie). Normally search parties work in groups of four - enough to manage a situation in case of a casualty find. Experience is needed to plan and co-ordinate - so a Deputy Team Leader runs a control at base.  Planning; Mike and 2 of the team's Deputies meet in the control room and decide to deploy as follows. Alpha would be dropped off at Whicham Church and follow the S ridge up on to Black Combe. Bravo and Charlie would start from the Corney Fell summit. Bravo would head south, picking up the whole broad ridge onto Swinside Fell, then Black Combe.  Charlie was tasked to head north onto Whitfell, and search en route- dependent on information that may follow.

By 02.00 no sight of the pair on Black Combe summit, waterproofs being tested to the full. Bravo, sodden, had passed Whitecombe Head, when a broken radio message suggested that the pair had "dropped steeply off into a corrie, then descended east".   

At Base Nigel could trace our progress exactly, via GPS enabled radios which all groups were carrying. Next plan; Alpha are tasked to continue to drop  off Black Combe and descend into the corrie. The descent on steep grass is usually straightforward. 20m visibility and torrential rain made it a bit more exciting. Bravo should continue past the Whitecombe Head, and descend the north corrie rim.  Charlie was recalled, in anticipation of being needed to carry in equipment. 

03.00 - People are starting to get tired. After a full day at work, dawn soon coming, lots of us need to be back to work later this morning. At last, 03.30, a conclusion is radioed in. "Mike Base, Mike Base this is Mike Bravo, we have a find, 2 males, 1 with suspected broken ankle, cold and exhausted but otherwise OK. Location Blackcombe Beck on 250m contour....." A great result.

The main concern now is curbing body temperature loss and worsening hypothermia.  Andy, as group leader, considers treatment, equipment and evacuation options. Daybreak. A lightweight shelter, carried by all search teams, brings instant warmth and arrests any further fall in temperature. Luckily, although the ankle is swollen, it has no abnormal deformity present. It is treated and packed as a broken ankle, until it can be checked out properly at hospital.  Things are going to be difficult, however, unless there is a marked improvement in the ongoing uncontrollable shivering. Move nearer to any approaching assistance or stay put?  Is Helicopter recovery justified? Due to the conditions and proximity to the road, a carryout is decided upon for one of the walkers.

Carry Off

Nigel, back at Base, sends Alpha to join up with Bravo (Cas Site) to provide drinks, spare dry clothes and manpower for a carry out. Charlie gets the short straw (kit carry involved) to collect a stretcher, Care-Pac, and Casualty Bag and start the journey back to the casualties, WITH HASTE!

Although only just over 1 km to the road head, a mixture of sledging and carrying the loaded stretcher takes best part of an hour. The team is met by paramedics at the road, where the walkers are picked up by an ambulance crew and transferred to hospital.

The ankle turned out to be badly sprained. After warmth, food and rest the couple make a speedy recovery.